Life-preserver.



K. NEBEL.- I .lFE PRESERVER. APPLICATION `FILED DEC. 20. |915 Patented Oct. 24,1916. I

'UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

KURT NEBEL, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIFE-PRESEBVER.

To all/whom t may concern."

Be it known that I, KURT NEBEL, a sub-` ject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at 2925 South Park avenue, in the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have 'invented certain new and usefulv Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in life preservers, and particularly to devices of this class which are inflated.

The objects of my invention are to so construct and arrange the device that it will be automatically inflated by exposure to or immersion in water, and so that it may be readily attached to a person in position for instant use and with parts thereof surrounding the body of the person and other parts collapsed fiat against the body.

These and other objects I accomplish as hereinafter described and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which an embodiment of my improved life preserver is shown.

In the drawings: Figure `1, represents a view of lmy improved life preserver,l partially in perspective and partially in central vertical section with the gas bag expanded. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of my improved device with the gas bag collapsed.

Fig. 3, is an enlarged detached-detail view of the dissolvable holding loop for the gas bag. Fig. 4, ,is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the water inlet valves in the gas bag. l

In referring to the adaptation of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings in detail,l like numerals designate like and corresponding parts.

My improved apparatus comprises an inatable tube 1, a gas bag 2 which isconnected to the tube l, by a fiexible pipe or pipes 3, and a device for containing gas generating material attached to the gas bag. The tube 1, is constructed of rubber or other soft yielding resilient material and preferablyl with two ends to one of which a buckle 4 is connected and to the other a strap 5, which can be fastened in the buckle to fasten the tube around the body of a person or in a substantially circular endless condition. The gas bag 2, is preferably formed of flexible rubber or like material and the pipes 3 which serve to connect the bag to the tube is likewise of emular material.'

lSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 24, 191e.

Application led December 20, 1915. Serial No. 67,892.V

stem 9, and a comparatively Weak spring 10,

for normally holding said valve in closed position.

'The container for the gas generating material is preferably composed of a hollow fiat circular body 11, and a tube 12, extending up from said body which is fitted` through an opening in the gas bag as shown in Fig. 1 and clamped firmly in place there- -in between two nuts 13 and 14. The upper portion of the tube which projects within they gas bag is preferably perforated as shownat 15, in Fig. 1 and the top 16A closed to prevent the water flowing too rapidly'to the gas generating material 17, preferably carbid in thebody 11. The body 11, and tube 12, are preferably constructed of light metal and can be easily detached from the gas bag for cleaning purposes or for refilling with material by removing the nuts 13 -and 14.

When the bag is in its collapsed position it is preferably held in a fiat condition as shown in Fig. 2, by means of a loop 18, Which is fitted around the middle of the bag, and in order to permit the bag to distend and resume its natural round condition the loop 18 is constructed of flexible material which will dissolve when immersed in water. For this purpose I prefer gelatin or a dissolvable composition which will quickly disintegrate under the action of water.

" As shown in Fig. 3, the loop .18 is made in U-shape with a separate fastener 19, fitted over the ends 20 of the loop which are oppositely bent or curved to receive and hold the fastener.

Theoperaticn of this improved device'isv as followsz-The tube is fitted in place. around the body of a person, with the gas bag collapsed Hat against the'body and the container filled with carbid. When a person so equipped becomes immersed in` water, the

loop is immediately dissolved freeing the gas bagl and permitting it to, assume its natural round shape. The expansion of-the gas bag coupled with the exterior water pressure opens the inlet valves allowing the water to flow into the gas bag and through the openings in the tube 12, down upon the carbid thereby instantly generating gas which Hows -upwardinto the gas bag and the tube 1, ex-

panding the tube l, suiciently to sustain the weight of the wearer.

This improved device can also be utilized` as a life saving buoy `by throwing it into the Water.

While I have illustrated 'and described a preferred form .of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of a wide range of variation, alteration, modifica- I tion and change without departing from the spirit of -my invention, I therefore do not wish to be limited to the construction herein shown and described, but desire to avail myself of-all such variations, alterations, modifications and changes as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims or may be construed to be within the scope thereof by Vinvolving the doctrine of equivalents.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is V 1. In a device of the class described, an inflatable tube adapted to be fastened around the body of the wearer, a gas bag suspended beneath said tube by piping, a gas generating device connected to the lower portion of the gas bag,.and a loop element fitted around the gas bag for maintaining said bag in a collapsed condition, said loo-p being soluble in water.

2. In a devicelof the class described, an inliatable tube adapted to lbe fastened around the body of the wearer, a gas bag suspended beneath said tube by piping, a gas generating device connected tothe lower portion of the gas bag, and a loop element of gelatin and soluble in water fitted around the gas bag.

3. In a device ofthe class described, an iniatabletube, a gas bag suspended beneath Nsaid tube, said gas bag having water inlet valves, anda gas generating device connected tothe lower port-ion of the gasv bag.

4. In a device of thecla'ss described, an inatable tube, a, gasbag suspended beneath said tube, said gas bag having water inlet valves, and a gas generating device connected to the lower portion of the gasy bag;` said body and fitted through andlclamped in anopening in said gas bag, the' upper portion of the tube projecting within the gas bag and being provided with perforations.

6. 4In a device of the class described, an iniatable tube, a gas bag suspended beneath said tube, said gas bag having water inlet valves, and a gas generating device connected to the lower portion of the gas bag; said gas generating device comprising. a hollow iiat body and a tube extending from said body and fitted through and clamped in an opening in said gas bag, the tube being closed at the top and the upper portion of said tube projecting within the gas bagand beinlg provided with perforations in its side wal 7. In a deviceof the class described, a container for carbid having an upwardly extending tube, a collapsible gas bag having an opening in which said tube is secured and a water inlet valve, and means for attaching the gas bag to the bodyv of the wearer, said'means "including an inflatable' tube adapted to be filled with gas from the gas bag.

8. In a device of the class described, a'n infiatable tube, a gas bag suspendedbeneathsaid tube by piping, and a gas generatili device connected to the lower portion o the gas bag.

9. In a device of the .class described, a

containerfor carbid having an upwardly I extending tube, a collapsible gas bag having an opening in which said tube is secured, anda -water inlet valve, an inflatable tube adapted to be fitted around the body of a person and'a pipe depending from said tube to which the gas 'bag is secured.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 

